Sleep Is Sometimes a Luxury to Many - Stress and Sleep Disorders
Essay by people • September 8, 2011 • Essay • 553 Words (3 Pages) • 1,792 Views
Essay Preview: Sleep Is Sometimes a Luxury to Many - Stress and Sleep Disorders
Sleep is sometimes a luxury to many. Everyone's lives are busy and people are constantly on the go. There are countless things that need to be done every day and not enough time to fit all of them in. Sleep is often compensated to make time for other activities. Over time this can be very dangerous to a person's health because sleep is necessary for the body to function properly. While you are sleeping, your body uses that time to rejuvenate and prepare for the following day. As you deprive yourself of sleep, your body begins to wear down and becomes more susceptible to disease, health, and mental conditions. Getting enough sleep should be a priority for everyone and not traded.
Sleep deprivation is a symptom that can develop from many types of sleep disorders and sleep problems. You may be experiencing sleep loss due to specific sleep disorders that cannot be resolved on your own. Sleep apnea and other conditions are dangerous if left untreated and require proper diagnosis from a medical doctor or sleep clinic and specific treatment. If you are experiencing specific symptoms, you need to make an appointment with your doctor to be evaluated and tested. There may be underlying medical conditions that are contributing to the problem. Treating them could be all that is necessary. If this is not the case, a treatment can be given to either alleviate or reduce the symptoms of the sleep disorder so you can get the rest you need to be healthy.
Not getting enough sleep can lead to more serious health conditions. Your immune system is weakened making you more susceptible to infectious diseases. Not only do you have an increased risk of being ill, but your risk of inflammatory conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes are also increased. Children who do not get enough sleep are at a higher risk for ADHD. They are more likely to have trouble concentrating in school, fall asleep in class, and their memory is affected. Adults become a hazard on the road and at work. Many work related accidents caused by decreased alertness and reaction time due to insufficient sleep. Getting enough sleep can prevent these medical issues and other risks from developing.
If you are experiencing sleep issues, there are many things you can do to attempt to restore your sleep. Take a look at your sleeping habits and see if something is contributing to your sleep loss. Are you drinking a lot of caffeine before bed time? Do you have inconsistent sleep schedules? Is your bedroom comfortable to sleep in? Try developing consistent wake and sleep times to ensure you are getting the hours of sleep you need. Make sure your bedroom is dark, cool, and the bed is comfortable. Avoid alcohol and caffeine before bed. They are stimulants that can prevent you from sleeping. Do something relaxing an hour or so before bed. Incorporate exercise into your daily routine. When changes like these do not make a difference, it is
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